Bananas and Health

Ranked #17,461 in Healthy Living, #265,362 overall

Banana a Day

Bananas! Bananas! Bananas! Let's give a shout out for the Banana
The International Journal of Cancer has shown that daily consumption of whole fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, is highly protective to kidney health. The results show that, over a long timeframe (13.4 years), women eating more than 2.5 servings of fruits and vegetable per day cut their risk of kidney cancer by 40%.

Among the fruits, bananas were especially protective Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

Anemia--Hypertension-etc etc

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school (England) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

The Healing Power of Food

If you haven't tried foods for healing, you might consider one of these fabulous books from Amazon.

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“Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber.”

Bananas Fight Depression? Really?

We're not saying that eating bananas can cure people with depression, this is an illness that should always be treated by a professional medical adviser.

But for everyday feelings of being 'down', try a banana. Recent survey undertaken by MIND among people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

Even More Healing Power of the Banana

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

The Hangover Handbook: 101 Cures for Humanity's Oldest Malady

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system

Travel Mug Blender

Carrianne, one of my Gather friends, says,

"I knew that they (bananas) were good for you, but I didn't realize that they were this good! I bought a neat blender,,. where you can create your smoothie right in your travel cup instead in a huge blender.

I've been making smoothies every morning using 1 banana, 5-6 strawberries, couple scoops of plain yogurt (for nutritional value), a bit of Florida natural orange juice... and I've been feeling so great every day!

I didn't realize that bananas help you fight stress, I guess that is why I'm now in better moods every day,... I will have to continue this ritual and I encourage anyone else that loves smoothies but hate that mess in the blender... get what I just got... it's amazing! I just throw it into the travel cup, then unscrew the blade, screw on the bottom, then head off to work. No mess "

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Guestbook

  • artyfax Apr 20, 2012 @ 9:47 am | delete
    Wow! This is goodto know because I love bananas. I eat lots and then make banana bread with the ones which are starting to blacken (something I learned to do recently and have published a lens on my efforts ). An interesting and useful lens - blessed
  • tinamahan Mar 27, 2012 @ 11:49 am | delete
    My Aunt experiences a lot of leg cramps, and her doctor recommended eating one banana a day. Thank you for sharing this. I"m going to have to make myself a banana smoothie.
  • exotickitten731 Mar 20, 2012 @ 4:31 pm | delete
    Thanks For this lens about Bananas, Apparently this is the fruit for me because it has lots of my illnesses like ANEMIA & High Blood Pressure, Thanks!
  • Wednesday_Elf Oct 12, 2011 @ 9:10 am | delete
    Interesting information about bananas. I just read recently that bananas not only help lower blood pressure, but lower cholesterol as well. I knew about the potassium benefits. So yesterday I actually bought some bananas at the store. I usually ignore them because, although I like the taste, I don't like the texture. I don't mind bananas sliced up in a bowl with mild & sugar, but to eat it 'plain' is not as enjoyable. But, this AM I actually peeled and ate a plain banana. :-) Working on it, as I know it is good for you.
  • marymc Oct 12, 2011 @ 9:13 am | delete
    Thanks for coming by and adding your comment. I'm not a big fan of the flavor or texture of bananas, but put in a smoothie with blueberries---I'm doubling good for you food, plus, I use almond milk for my smoothie and get extra Vitamin E.
  • Wednesday_Elf Oct 12, 2011 @ 9:20 am | delete
    Sounds like a plan. :-)

by

marymc

As a novelist, author of essays, short stories, poems, mini biographies, and health articles, I now enjoy guiding others to enhance their lives as min... more »

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The Hangover Handbook: 101 Cures for Humanity's Oldest Malady

Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

Not just Hanger cures, it is quite a joke book also, it's a funny little book, with some wild "cures